Preservation and Promotion of Champa Cultural Values in the Modern World: From Hoa Lai Style Champa Sculpture to Contemporary Fashion in Vietnam
Le Than Hoa
Abstract
Le Than Hoa
Abstract
Champa culture refers to the rich civilization of the ancient Hindu-Buddhist maritime kingdom of Champa, which flourished in what is now central and southern Vietnam from the 2nd to the 17th century. Renowned for its unique blend of Indian and indigenous Southeast Asian influences, it left behind an incredible legacy of art, architecture, and spiritual syncretism. Monuments such as the ‘My Son Sanctuary,’ recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999, serve as a testimony to the unique artistic and historical significance of this culture. However, the deterioration of architectural works and sculptural decorations of Champa heritage poses significant challenges for conservation and sustainable development. The decorative art of Champa sculpture, when applied to fashion design, not only helps preserve the heritage but also connects with the younger generations, contributing to the international promotion of Vietnamese culture. The intricate patterns and symbolic meanings embedded in Champa sculpture, when applied to contemporary fashion, can play a crucial role in preserving, and revitalizing this cultural heritage. While there is considerable research on Champa in the fields of history, culture, religion, and sculpture, the application of Champa sculpture in visual arts, especially contemporary fashion design, is under-explored. In this context, this paper examines the issue of preservation of Champa cultural values in developing the national culture in Vietnam. It employs case studies as a research methodology and carries out a task of designing several fashion garments within the ‘research by design’ paradigm. To begin with, it engages in observations of the motifs and patterns, and recording using a photographic survey as data gathering techniques. Afterwards, selected motifs and patterns were used to create fashionwear which were put on a display and people’s responses were obtained through a survey. It concludes that a dialogue between heritage and contemporary creativity could contribute to the promotion of Vietnamese culture globally.
Keywords:
Champa cultural heritage, preservation and promotion of traditional values, Decorative sculpture, Hoa Lai style, artistic application, Vietnam.